Anthony Joshua knockout victory thrilled fans after the former heavyweight champion recovered from two first-round knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga in dramatic fashion.
Joshua struggled early after hitting the canvas twice in the opening round. Despite the setback, he regained control in the second round and landed a powerful right hand at 2:43 to secure the knockout.
The Briton started the second round with confidence. He slipped Prenga’s punches, worked behind his jab and stunned his opponent with a right hand. Joshua then unleashed a sharp combination before a crushing straight right sent Prenga to the canvas. The referee immediately stopped the fight.
The Anthony Joshua knockout victory came in his first fight since surviving a car crash in Nigeria last December that claimed the lives of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
An emotional Joshua dedicated the win to his late friends. “It’s more than punch power. That was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina, that was the family. It hurts to even talk about it.
It has been tough,” he said before briefly stepping away from the microphone. He later added, “It’s my brother. I don’t want to talk about it.”Joshua also welcomed the prospect of facing Tyson Fury. “I respect everything he has done and accomplished, but this is where we are now. I hope the fans get to enjoy a great fight,” he said.
Both fighters have signed contracts, but organisers are yet to announce the date and venue. Joshua’s dramatic comeback has increased excitement for the long-awaited heavyweight clash.
